“I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing…
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all…
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” Psalm 34:1-10,17-19,22
David speaks from intense experience, his heart that had reason to tremble in fear instead welling with impassioned praise and confidence focused on his Lord. For him, gratitude and exaltation was not so much an expression dependent on all God had done for him as an acknowledgement of who God was and how he’d benefited in His wake and care. He was consumed with his Lord, and continually rejoiced in His presence, increasingly able to see and savor the magnitude of His greatness, ministry, protection, and intimate love. (1 Samuel 21:10-14)
Praise not only befits God’s people, it benefits us. We, too, are constantly pursued by the enemy of our souls, joy, and peace. We, too, face opposition in those who would seek to undo our faith, resolve, and witness. We, too, have reasonable cause for fears and doubts. And we, too, can choose to magnify the Lord for His omniscience, grace, and sufficiency in the midst. As we bless God’s name and boast in His power and deliverance, we experience His bounty toward us in every trouble.
When weighted with anxiety, or shame, or a broken heart, the antidote is praise. What troubles us today? From what afflictions do we need deliverance? A deliberate turning from what presses in to lift our voices to magnify the Lord and bring others along to join the song relieves the heaviness while reminding us Who is on our side. How regularly do we boast in the Lord? When will we make blessing His name our default response to hardship? (Romans 8:31-32)
“O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro’ all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)
Worthy Lord, may I ever boast in and bless You.
As the rain and snow 